Jan 1, 2021; New Orleans, LA, USA; at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields (1) gives a first bump to head coach Ryan Day prior to the College Football Playoff semifinal against the Clemson Tigers at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports
It’s been almost three months since Tom Brady and his Tampa Bay Buccaneers claimed Super Bowl LV. Have you missed the NFL? We sure have. Throw up your praise hands, football fans—the 2021 draft is almost here.
Last year’s draft was an event that deviated from the norm. Due to COVID-19, the spectacle was held virtually. Commissioner Roger Goodell announced picks from his basement, with cameras planted inside the residences of players, coaches, and executives. It had an intimate and entertaining feel.
It was an amusing distraction from the chaos of the pandemic, which had essentially shut down sports at the time. This time around, we’re getting back to the normal setup, with picks announced live in Cleveland Thursday-Saturday.
The 2020 draft ushered in a new generation of stars, with some rookies making an impact right from the jump (like Chase Young and Justin Jefferson). More franchise-changers will make their NFL introduction later this week. Your team’s savior could be on his way!
So, what’s the hub-hub around the league surrounding the draft? Let’s run down the juiciest rumors.
49ers Locked In on Jones or Lance
The San Francisco 49ers had a disappointing year. One season after qualifying for the Super Bowl, the Bay Area’s squad was ravaged by injuries and finished 6-10, missing the playoffs.
Though the Niners are loaded with defensive talent, this team clearly needs a QB who can stay healthy to elevate to the next level and make it back to championship contention. The down-on-his-luck Jimmy Garoppolo is “more available than he’s ever been,” according to Peter King. The 49ers would reportedly want a high draft pick in return—either a first- or second-rounder. Kyle Shanahan didn’t do anything to dispute that reporting Monday either, with an epic response about he’s not sure we’ll all still be alive on Sunday.
So, who would step in as San Francisco’s new signal-caller? It appears the 49ers are keen to hand the reins to a rookie. They have the No. 3 overall pick, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Alabama’s Mac Jones and North Dakota State’s Trey Lance are the two candidates in the mix.
According to ESPN’s Todd McShay, coach Kyle Shanahan wants Jones, but others in San Francisco’s front office want Lance.
Bottom line: expect the 49ers to make a significant change involving the QB position around the draft.
QBs Going 1-2-3
The top two picks are projected to be lay-ups. Jacksonville will take Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence No. 1. Next, the Jets will take BYU’s Zach Wilson No. 2. Wilson has reportedly already spoken with Jets leadership about his new role as the team’s QB.
Given all the noise surrounding San Francisco, it sure looks like the Niners are looking to take a QB, too. Will it be Jones or Lance? The majority of reports indicate Jones is in the lead.
Either way, expect QBs to go 1-2-3 on draft day (and potentially even 1-2-3-4). The last time three QBs went first? 1999—with Tim Couch (No. 1) followed by Donovan McNabb and Akili Smith.
Lions and Dolphins Looking to Trade Down?
The Lions have new leadership, with the additions of coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes. So, who will the Motor City’s new decision-makers take at No. 7?
Perhaps no one. There’s mounting buzz that the Lions are actually looking to trade down in the first round.
According to Albert Breer of MMQB, of all the teams in the top 10, the Lions are the “hungriest” to trade down. Likewise, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports the Lions are “fielding a lot of phone calls” regarding a trade.
Miami is also a candidate to move down, despite having already made two first-round trades. Rapoport states the Dolphins are open to trading out of their No. 6 spot.
Pelissero reports the Eagles and Vikings are potential candidates to trade up. Oh, and one other team to keep an eye on…
Patriots Targeting Justin Fields
Ohio State QB Justin Fields had another impressive season, with the Georgia transfer leading his Buckeyes to the national title game (where Alabama dominated, but we digress). The NFL has had eyes on him for years, but his draft stock has been surprisingly volatile, with some speculating he could slide.
There is at least one team, however, that appears to have fallen in love with Fields: the New England Patriots. Pelissero reports the Pats have been calling top-10 teams and looking to move up, with Fields believed to be their target. New England currently has the No. 15 pick, and the report states the Patriots would likely need to surrender that selection and a second-rounder to grab a top-10 pick (like the Lions’ No. 7 pick).
The Carolina Panthers (No. 8) and Denver Broncos (No. 9) are both candidates to select a QB, so New England might be looking to jump over those teams. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler indicated the Panthers, who recently traded for Sam Darnold, would be tempted by Fields at No. 8.
New England signed Cam Newton to another one-year deal, but he’s clearly not the long-term solution under center. Fields is an intriguing option. Don’t rule out New England picking a different QB, though. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah says the Patriots have been doing “homework” on Florida’s Kyle Trask.
Julio Jones On the Block?
Julio Jones is still one of the best receivers in the game, but he’s also 32, and he only played in nine games in 2020 due to injury. Would Atlanta really move him?
Believe it. Three prominent outlets (Sports Illustrated, NFL.com, and NBC Sports) reported this week that the Falcons—looking toward the future, hamstrung in the present by a lack of cap room—are shopping Jones.
For the cap savings to really make a mark, though, this trade would need to occur after June 1, so Atlanta couldn’t pick up any draft selections in exchange for Jones (at least directly). We already pointed out some teams that Jones could land on, but it would still be wild to see him get traded.
